Because of the generosity of its customers and staff, The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer will help provide more than 6,200 meals for the most vulnerable people in our community with the results of its fourth-annual holiday fundraiser in support of The Rainbow Kitchen.

The Rainbow Kitchen, based out of Esquimalt United Church, is Victoria’s second largest soup kitchen, and can serve up a hot meal for less than $2.

The fundraising campaign ran from from Thursday, December 8th until Wednesday, December 14th offered customers and staff the opportunity to donate at the tills or directly to Rainbow Kitchen volunteers who were on site sharing hot apple cider and gingerbread cookies as well as information about the organization. The Root Cellar matched every donation, dollar for dollar for a total of $12,472.40 going to this amazing program — meaning that for every dollar our customers donated, a hot meal can be served to the poor and marginalized people in our community.

Rainbow Kitchen board members Patrick Hunt and Mark Watt were in store spreading Christmas Cheer and collecting donations for Victoria’s second largest soup kitchen

The Rainbow kitchen provides more than 36,000 hot meals annually in a safe and supportive environment. Meals are served Monday to Friday at noon, 50 weeks a year. With only one paid staff member, The Rainbow Kitchen has been relying heavily  on volunteers and the generosity of our community since it opened in 2001.

On top of the holiday fundraiser, The Root Cellar donates about 500 pounds of perishable food to The Rainbow Kitchen on a weekly basis. This ongoing program diverts produce from the discount rack and the compost bin and gives it to the people in our community who need it most.

“We are proud to work with The Rainbow Kitchen because their beliefs align with ours – good people who believe strongly in creating a sustainable food network accessible to everyone. We are honoured to help feed our community,” says The Root Cellar owner Daisy Orser.

“The Rainbow Kitchen, like many other charities, relies heavily on donations that come in this time of year.  Our ongoing partnership with The Root Cellar means that we can continue to provide healthy lunches for 150 people every week day. And that’s a wonderful gift that extends far past the holiday season!” says Rainbow Kitchen board member Jennifer Hawes.  www.rainbowkitchen.ca

A Little Dirt